Lily plant named Cartouche

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct lily plant named Cartouche, characterized by its generally pink base color with white edges and tips and bright red-purple midvein; orange-brown pollen, large flowers, and floriferous habit.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of lily,botanically known as Lilium, known commercially as Lilium orientalhybrid, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name Cartouche. Theparents were oriental varieties belonging to division VII(b) describedin "Classification of Lily Cultivars into Divisions" published byVictoria Mathews, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (1989).

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program which hadthe general objective of creating new lily cultivars having attractiveflower color and having all the other desired attributes for cut-flowerproduction.

The new cultivar was originated from a hybridization made by theinventor in a controlled breeding program in Rijnsburg, The Netherlandsin 1981. The female parent was the cultivar Stargazer. The male parentwas an unnamed seedling.

The new cultivar was discovered and selected as one flowering plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross by the inventor in July 1981 in acontrolled environment in Rijnsburg, The Netherlands.

The first act of asexual reproduction of the new cultivar wasaccomplished by the inventor when scales were taken from the initialselection in 1985 in a controlled environment in Rijnsburg, TheNetherlands.

Horticultural examination of selected units has demonstrated that thecombination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivarare firmly fixed and are retained through successive generations ofasexual reproduction.

The new cultivar has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length,without, however, varying in the genotype. The following observations,measurements and comparisons describe plants grown in Wageningen andRijnsburg, The Netherlands under greenhouse conditions which approximatethose generally used in commercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of the new cultivar which in combinationdistinguish this lily as a new and distinct cultivar.

1. Generally pink main flower color, accented by white edges and tips,and a bright red stripe or streak along the midvein and to varyingdegrees on either side of the midvein.

2. Contrasting orange-brown pollen.

3. Numerous red markings spots on each tepal.

4. Large flowers.

5. Floriferous habit.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the mostsimilar in comparison to the new cultivar is Berlin, disclosed in apending plant patent application of the present inventor. When floweringis forced under natural light, Cartouche produces an inflorescenceapproximately 12 days earlier than Stargazer, grown under the sameconditions. Cartouche is fertile. In comparison to Berlin, Cartouche hasstronger and shorter stems; its flowers are more pronounced in thatthere is strong longitudinal undulation along the edges of the flowersand strong tip reflexing, and there is more color diversity due to thewhite edges and tip, the generally pink main color, and the brightstreaking.

The accompanying color photographic drawing shows typical flowercharacteristics of the new cultivar, with colors being as true aspossible with illustrations of this type. The photo is a frontperspective view showing two open flowers and several buds at variousstages.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart. The color values weredetermined at Wageningen in 1989-1990 and at Rijnsburg in July 1991.

Origin: Seedling from Breeding Program.

Parentage:

Seed parent.--Stargazer.

Pollen parent.--Unnamed seedling.

Classification:

Botanical.--Lilium.

Commercial.--Oriental hybrid.

The plant:

Form.--A single stem carrying numerous pedicels alternately arranged.

Height.--Height is medium to tall, being approximately 125 cm on openingof anthers of first flower.

Growth habit.--Vigorous.

Stem.--Circular in transverse section; internodal length uniform (1-1.5cm); color light green 145B with lighter spots.

Foliage.--Quantity: Normal, with number depending on growing conditions.Size of leaf: Mature leaves are short to medium in length (13 cm) andmedium in width (3 cm). Shape of leaves: Ovate. Texture: Smooth withweak glossiness on upper side. Color: 137A.

Bulbs.--Size: Outlet 6-30 cm. Color: Purple, white and yellow.

Roots.--Both stem and contractile present.

The bud:

Form.--Tapering (like a lancet).

Size.--11 cm in length.

Opening.--Unfolds normally.

Color.--Light pink prior to opening.

Tepals.--Folded, three visible.

The flower:

Blooming habit.--Raceme.

Size.--Approximately 19 cm in diameter depending on growing conditions.

Borne.--Upright to horizontal.

Shape.--Generally in form of hexagonal star when viewed from top.

Tepalage.--Number of tepals: Six. Arrangement: Three inner and threeouter each with marginal undulation. Color: Upper surface: Pink 62B withbright red streaking along midvein and white edges and tips. Lowersurface: Pink 65B; base almost white 155B. Spotting or marking: Present,dark purple; yellow to green colored strip at base of each tepal.

Nectaries and papillae.--Present.

Pedicel.--Length: 7 cm (of first flower). Color: Medium green withanthocyanin. Form: Slightly curved.

Texture.--Papillose.

Disease resistance.--No disease problems noted to date.

Fragrance.--Present; medium.

Lasting quality.--Excellent.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens, anthers.--Arrangement: Anthers form a generally circularpattern. Length: Short to medium (8.5 cm). Number: Six. Filaments:Green.

Pollen color.--Orange brown.

Anther color.--Reddish brown.

Pistils.--One with green style; total length of pistil is 10.5 cm.

Stigma.--Color purple to light purple.

Ovaries.--Triangular in shape; other characteristics typical of orientallily varieties.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of lily plant named Cartouche,as illustrated and described.